Coal Miners in Demand

By Brian Ash
According to USA Today, coal is in hot demand to fuel power plants, as other fuel sources skyrocket in price such as oil and natural gas. As other fuels spike, coal remains relatively cheap; which makes it a practical energy source.

The average age of miners in West Virginia is 55, and many are considering retirement. With more and more retiring there will be an increase in demand for miners in WV. In fact, the state will need as many as 7,000 new miners over the next ten years to satisfy the empty spots left by retiring coal miners. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics there are approximately 15,000 workers working in the mines of WV. This will be quite a shake-up in the mines, replacing retirees with new mineworkers. Especially since the replacement percentage is close to 50 percent.

The salary starts at 12 or 13 dollars an hour and steadily increases to $64,000 a year. Is the pay enough to outweigh the danger of dying in a mine? Evidently, considering that there is still many workers willing to work despite the recent tragedy at the Sago mine which tragically trapped 13 miners and all but one died. Many of the future prospects for the job of being a miner in the industry know of the mining hazards and dangers. An accident in 2005 killed three miners and in 2004 12 died at the hand of the mines. Despite all these facts, many are willing to risk their lives. Why is this? Miner Ryan Boyd says, “Mining is the job that pays the most here, it puts food on the table and roofs over our heads. You’re just as likely to get killed on the highway.”

There are many reasons for mining coal. It is used for generating electric power, it is used in industry, making steel, and for exports, all of which are essential in the ever yday operations of this country. The United States produces over a billion short tons of coal each year, over 1/5 of the world’s coal. Coal is mined in 27 states and out of all of them in the United States West Virginia ranks second in coal output. Therefore, WV is a state that helps in the everyday operations of this country.